Radio Atlantic, IA – AM 1220

Iowa crops improve as hot, humid conditions arrive

July 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The heat and humidity typical of Iowa summers has arrived and the state is drying out from the wet spring. Statewide average rainfall for the week ending Sunday was less than a tenth of an inch, far below the 1-inch normal.

Monday’s USDA weekly progress report says crops appeared to advance with reports of corn beginning to tassel in scattered fields. Corn in good to excellent condition increased to 58 percent, up 1 percentage point from the previous week. Corn is 12 percent very poor or poor and 30 percent fair.

Ninety-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged; 3 percentage points behind average. Soybeans are 11 percent very poor or poor, 33 percent fair and 56 percent good or excellent. Some farmers say crops will need some moisture soon.